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HKMH to showcase prosperity and magnificence of Sui and Tang dynasties with invaluable cultural relics (with photos)
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     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has collaborated with the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration to present the exhibition "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Prosperity and Magnificence - Civilisation of the Sui and Tang Dynasties in Shaanxi Province" at the Hong Kong Museum of History (HKMH). Solely sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and as the third exhibition of the LCSD's General History of China Series, the exhibition journeys through the Wei, Jin and Northern and Southern dynasties, and the Sui dynasty, and mainly narrates the grandeur of the Tang dynasty, exploring its historical context and development origins. The exhibition features a selection of over 165 sets of artefacts from Shaanxi and Hong Kong, of which 18 sets are grade-one national treasures. It will run until August 24 with free admission.
 
     Addressing the opening ceremony today (April 24), the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, said the LCSD's General History of China Series allows the public, especially the younger generation, to gain a coherent understanding of the long history of China and a more comprehensive grasp of the profound connotations of Chinese culture. The previous two exhibitions under the series have attracted a total of more than 420 000 attendance, including 15 000 teachers and students.
      
     She added, Chang'an, the capital of the Tang dynasty, was a world-renowned international metropolis. Today, Hong Kong, as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, shares similar open and inclusive characteristics as Chang'an, promoting the deep integration of diverse ethnic cultures. Both cities play crucial bridging roles in cultural and artistic exchange, showcasing the unique charm of gateway cities. Visitors can appreciate the treasures of ancient Chinese civilisation and experience the profound heritage and unique charm of Chinese culture in the exhibition.
 
     Other officiating guests at the opening ceremony included Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr Hua You; Deputy Director of the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration Mr Wang Runlu; the Deputy Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Lester Huang; Deputy Director-General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr Lin Nan; member of the Working Group on Patriotic Education under the Constitution and Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee Ms Melissa Pang; the Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Miss Eve Tam; and the Museum Director of the HKMH, Ms Joyce Ho.  

     The curatorial team used the "Li-Fang system" of Chang'an City in the Tang dynasty as the layout concept, and integrated Sui and Tang poems and mural elements to lead the audience to experience the splendour of the Sui and Tang dynasties. More than 120 sets of selected exhibits from 11 museums and cultural institutions are on display, nearly half of which are making their debut in Hong Kong. Among them are three pieces/sets of grade-one national treasures: a pure gold reliquary casket with a roof-curb-shaped lid made to hold the true body of the Buddha; a painted female figurine of a dancer in an elegant dance pose with a double-looped bun, reflecting the standards of female beauty in the early to high Tang period; a silver-gilt lotus-shaped incense tool, unearthed from Hejia Village Hoard, reflecting the extremely high level of gold and silver craftsmanship during the Tang dynasty. Other grade-one national treasures include a white pottery dancing horse, beautifully resembling white jade, demonstrating a unique form of entertainment introduced into China from the western regions; and "Kaiyuan Tongbao" silver coin with exquisite patterns, bestowed as an imperial gift. Through various precious cultural relics, the exhibition offers visitors a comprehensive view of the Sui and Tang dynasties.
 
     Another highlight is the stone reliefs of the Six Steeds of Zhaoling (replicas), originally unearthed from the Zhaoling Mausoleum, Liquan County, Xianyang of Shaanxi Province, which commemorates the six warhorses ridden by Emperor Taizong of Tang (Li Shimin) during his campaigns, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship of Tang dynasty sculpture. The exhibition uses multimedia projection on stone reliefs to vividly present the stories of the horses on the battlefield to visitors. The exhibition brings together a diverse array of highlight exhibits, encompassing religion, women, economy, and foreigners, thereby showcasing the grandeur of the Tang dynasty as an era of inclusiveness.
      
     During the Tang dynasty, Hong Kong was under the jurisdiction of Dongguan County. The exhibition features over 40 sets of archaeological finds from the Six Dynasties to the Tang dynasty from Hong Kong. Finds from the Tang dynasty include a spirit jar with its lid unearthed from Shek Kong, Yuen Long; a glazed shard of Changsha ware unearthed from Sham Wan Tsuen, Chek Lap Kok; and a celadon cup unearthed from San Tau, Lantau Island.
      
     Apart from displaying precious relics, the exhibition is also complemented by multimedia programmes including projections, animation and interactive games to lead visitors to revisit the Grand Canal of the Sui and Tang dynasties, learn about famous historic figures from the Sui and Tang dynasties, appreciate women's makeup and understand the imperial examination system in the Tang dynasty.
      
     The interactive zone, through engaging displays, animations, and interactive games, allows visitors to learn about the civil and military achievements and diverse culture of the Sui and Tang dynasties, as well as the development of Hong Kong. Visitors can participate in the virtual reality experience "Beyond the Mural: Echoes of the Tang Dynasty" to travel back to the vibrant and magnificent Chang'an, join an exciting polo match, and soar over the grand Chang'an City. Visitors can also join the immersive interactive stage of "A Flourishing Era of Music and Dance" and sway to the music performed by a band from the Tang dynasty.
      
     To tie in with the exhibition, the HKMH will organise a series of fascinating education and extension programmes. Experts from Shaanxi will visit Hong Kong and hold six lectures with local scholars, analysing the exhibition content from multiple perspectives. There are also free workshops that allow participants to experience the grandeur of the Tang dynasty, including in-depth tea appreciation, calligraphy, pastry making, shadow play puppet making, and Tang Sancai pottery painting. Teaching kits will be distributed to primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong, while outreach programmes and book displays will be arranged at the Hong Kong Public Libraries.
 
     The exhibition is jointly presented by the LCSD and the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration, jointly organised by the HKMH and the Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center, solely sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, in collaboration with the Chinese Culture Promotion Office. For details of the exhibition and activities, please visit hk.history.museum/en/web/mh/exhibition/Sui-Tang-Exhibition.html.
 
Ends/Friday, April 24, 2026
Issued at HKT 21:04
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The opening ceremony of "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Prosperity and Magnificence - Civilisation of the Sui and Tang Dynasties in Shaanxi Province" exhibition was held today (April 24) at the Hong Kong Museum of History. Photo shows officiating guests the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law (fourth right); Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr Hua You (fourth left); Deputy Director of the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration Mr Wang Runlu (third right); Deputy Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Mr Lester Huang (third left); Deputy Director-General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr Lin Nan (second right); member of the Working Group on Patriotic Education under the Constitution and Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee Ms Melissa Pang (second left); the Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Miss Eve Tam (first right); and the Museum Director of the HKMH, Ms Joyce Ho (first left), at the ceremony.
The Hong Kong Museum of History's "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Prosperity and Magnificence - Civilisation of the Sui and Tang Dynasties in Shaanxi Province" exhibition will be open to the public from tomorrow (April 25). Photo shows officiating guests touring the exhibition.
The Hong Kong Museum of History's "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Prosperity and Magnificence - Civilisation of the Sui and Tang Dynasties in Shaanxi Province" exhibition will be open to the public from tomorrow (April 25). Photo shows stone reliefs of the Six Steeds of Zhaoling (replicas), originally unearthed from the Zhaoling Mausoleum, Liquan County, Xianyang of Shaanxi Province, which commemorate the six warhorses ridden by Emperor Taizong of Tang (Li Shimin) during his campaigns, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship of Tang Dynasty sculpture. The exhibition uses multimedia projection on stone reliefs to vividly present the stories of the horses on the battlefield to visitors.
The Hong Kong Museum of History's "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Prosperity and Magnificence - Civilisation of the Sui and Tang Dynasties in Shaanxi Province" exhibition will be open to the public from tomorrow (April 25). Photo shows a grade-one national treasure, a painted female figurine of a dancer with a double-looped bun from the Tang dynasty, from a collection of the Changwu County Museum.
The Hong Kong Museum of History’s "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Prosperity and Magnificence - Civilisation of the Sui and Tang Dynasties in Shaanxi Province" exhibition will be open to the public from tomorrow (April 25). Photo shows a grade-one national treasure, a silver-gilt lotus-shaped incense tool unearthed from Hejia Village Hoard. The exquisite patterns reflect the extremely high level of gold and silver craftsmanship during the Tang dynasty.
The Hong Kong Museum of History's "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Prosperity and Magnificence - Civilisation of the Sui and Tang Dynasties in Shaanxi Province" exhibition will be open to the public from tomorrow (April 25). Photo shows the Empress Dowager Tianyuan's epitaph tablet, unearthed from the Xiaoling Mausoleum, Xianyang, from the Sui dynasty. Empress Dowager Tianyuan (551-582), the wife of Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou, is the only empress of Turkic origin in Chinese history.
The Hong Kong Museum of History's "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Prosperity and Magnificence - Civilisation of the Sui and Tang Dynasties in Shaanxi Province" exhibition will be open to the public from tomorrow (April 25). Photo shows 12 zodiac figurines unearthed from a tomb in Xi'an City from the Tang dynasty. In the tomb, these figurines were arranged in a clockwise sequence, and aligned with the four cardinal points. This symbolised a cycle of guardian spirits taking turns to protect the tomb occupant around the clock.
The Hong Kong Museum of History's "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Prosperity and Magnificence - Civilisation of the Sui and Tang Dynasties in Shaanxi Province" exhibition will be open to the public from tomorrow (April 25). Photo shows painted figurines of a camel and a keeper unearthed from a tomb in Xianyang. The camel keeper has the deep-set eyes and high nose of a foreigner. He wears a short, brightly coloured-robe and the figurine is full of exotic character.
The Hong Kong Museum of History's "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Prosperity and Magnificence - Civilisation of the Sui and Tang Dynasties in Shaanxi Province" exhibition will be open to the public from tomorrow (April 25). Photo shows a multimedia interactive game "The Chang'an Millionaire" where visitors can learn about the large-scale and well-organised city planning of Tang Chang'an City.
The Hong Kong Museum of History's "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Prosperity and Magnificence - Civilisation of the Sui and Tang Dynasties in Shaanxi Province" exhibition will be open to the public from tomorrow (April 25). Photo shows a multimedia interactive game "Image Gallery of Tang's Dynasty" where visitors can learn about women's makeup in the Tang dynasty.
The Hong Kong Museum of History's "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Prosperity and Magnificence - Civilisation of the Sui and Tang Dynasties in Shaanxi Province" exhibition will be open to the public from tomorrow (April 25). Photo shows a cultural relic unearthed in Hong Kong: a spirit jar with its lid unearthed from Shek Kong, Yuen Long, in the Tang dynasty.
The Hong Kong Museum of History's "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Prosperity and Magnificence - Civilisation of the Sui and Tang Dynasties in Shaanxi Province" exhibition will be open to the public from tomorrow (April 25). Photo shows the interactive zone where visitors can step onto the immersive interactive stage of "A Flourishing Era of Music and Dance" and sway to the music performed by a band from the Tang dynasty.
The Hong Kong Museum of History's "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Prosperity and Magnificence - Civilisation of the Sui and Tang Dynasties in Shaanxi Province" exhibition will be open to the public from tomorrow (April 25). Photo shows a virtual reality experience "Beyond the Mural: Echoes of the Tang Dynasty" in which visitors can travel back to the vibrant and magnificent Chang'an with Li Guangren, the second son of Crown Prince Zhanghuai, Li Xian, to join an exciting polo match; soar over the grand Chang'an City; and explore the tomb of Crown Prince Zhanghuai.